Specter could be 'toast' in 2010 election, pollster says

HARRISBURG -- A new statewide poll shows 53 percent of Pennsylvanians -- and 66 percent of Republicans -- want someone to replace Sen. Arlen Specter.

Asked whether they think Specter, a Philadelphia Republican, has done his job well enough to win re-election or whether they'd prefer a "new person" in that job, registered voters by a 53-38 percent margin said it's time to give someone else a chance, according to the poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research. Eight percent were undecided.

The numbers might reflect Specter's vote as one of three Republican senators who enabled passage of President Obama's $787 billion federal stimulus package, said James Lee, president of Harrisburg-based Susquehanna polling. But they reflect long-standing dissatisfaction among Republican conservatives with Specter's record, he said.

If the election were held today, "in a two-person race, Specter is toast" if his challenger is a credible candidate, Lee said. A race with more candidates likely would improve Specter's chances of winning.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_613850.html

edit to add - the Dem numbers are worrysome - or else he needs to switch parties NOW.

"Among registered Republicans, 66 percent favored a new senator and 26 percent backed Specter. The margin of error on that question was plus or minus 5.9 percentage points.

Almost half of registered Democrats (49 percent) favored Specter over someone new (42 percent.) The margin of error was 5 percentage points, Lee said."

If we can get that nutjob Toomey in the general we can grab another D seat in the Senate.

Toomey isn't running for Senate he wants to be Govenor.

Kind of odd there is a moderate chance that the Govenor's race might be between two Lehigh Valley politians.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jCDmhHdqQ0q5YjETAszRJsLCZY0AD96M5EOO1

Toomey weighs 2010 primary challenge to Specter
By KIMBERLY HEFLING – 3 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pat Toomey nearly beat Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania's 2004 Republican primary. Now, Toomey, president of the anti-tax Club for Growth, says he's weighing another run against Specter.

Toomey says in a statement released Monday that he thinks government bailouts are taking the country on a dangerously wrong path and that's why he's considering a Senate bid next year.

Guess the stimulus vote changed his mind.

I'm embarrassed that asshat was my congressman for 6 years.

He must be very well off by now, I think he could bankroll it. And it would be fun to watch the Senate Republicans choose between endorsing their old friend and endorsing the base-pleasing wingnut.

and the only way they can win in 2010 if Specter is not the GOP nominee.

Who is to the right of Attila the hun, anyhow Specter also got money from moveon.org that go round.

Also, there are alot of moderate republicans who are now moderate democrats thanks to the 2008 PA primary.